Where did you find that book?

Originally Posted by Up_On_Base

I read Turnpike Trooper, it was very interesting in all aspects.

I heard training has changed a lot compared to the 70's/80's and PT standards have been lowered to allow certain people a better chance. Regardless, NJSP is hardcore and if you are not a PT stud it will be a horrible 26ish weeks

Thanks for the note UpOnBase, I didn't see this thread... I went looking for that book only to find that most places (at least online) didn't have any in stock. Do you know of a site or store that might have a copy? Interesting info about their academy... what would make one state vs. another have a more difficult academy (physically and mentally) ?

You might want to check your local library, they might be able to get it if they don't have a copy. Another good book about NJSP is Troopers: Behind the Badge by John Stark.

As for their academy, NJSP is just known to be very demanding of their recruits, they have very high standards, both physically and academically. They are VERY selective, they don't open up applications very often, and will call on applicant pools for several years.

Well i submitted my application today really not worried about the PT i dont think they can put me through anything that i havnt already seen but i am worried about the swimming aspect...gonna need to find a good swim instructor

You might want to check your local library, they might be able to get it if they don't have a copy. Another good book about NJSP is Troopers: Behind the Badge by John Stark.

As for their academy, NJSP is just known to be very demanding of their recruits, they have very high standards, both physically and academically. They are VERY selective, they don't open up applications very often, and will call on applicant pools for several years.

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll look into Mr. Stark's book as well and def make a trip down to the library to see if they have either.

I don't get it - why is everyone making a big deal about PT? from the website their physical qualification test doesn't look that rough at all - compared to FBI and similiar agencies.

I can get 7 points in the 1.5 mile without blinking an eye on a bad day; I've been doing 1.5 in 10 minutes and am depressed it is that slow... 11:30 for 7 points? as for the situps - 2 minutes for 50? I could do that even if I didn't work out!

its not the qualifications we are talking about but the academy which should way more intense. like any good para-military organization their whole goal is to break you then build you back up. im sure at the academy they are going to try and push your mind and body to the brink; this is why the dropout rate for many state police academy's are rather high. there are a lot of weak minded people out there who dont like going outside of their comfort zone. The one thing ive learned from the Marine Corps is that there is time for rest when your dead so as long as your breathing then keep on moving forward.

I don't get it - why is everyone making a big deal about PT? from the website their physical qualification test doesn't look that rough at all - compared to FBI and similiar agencies.

I can get 7 points in the 1.5 mile without blinking an eye on a bad day; I've been doing 1.5 in 10 minutes and am depressed it is that slow... 11:30 for 7 points? as for the situps - 2 minutes for 50? I could do that even if I didn't work out!

Don't mean to sound arrogant, but this seems strange to me. Is there any info on the tests performed while at academy? I'm guessing/hoping they're leaps and bounds more intense?

MX,
From what I've heard from friends and others that have gone through various academies recently, it's not simply complete 50 situps/pushups and your finished. Its the constant pushing of PT in all aspects... try to remain still in front lean push up position for several minutes and don't drop... and if you do before instructed, you may face the consequences. which could be pushups until you can't move or running until you throw up, etc. Those tests are a guideline to pass however the day to day PT while you are in the academy is what really tests a person's fortitude.

Examples of which could be shared by people that have actually gone through, I've only heard stories, haven't experienced them yet, hopefully soon.

its not the qualifications we are talking about but the academy which should way more intense. like any good para-military organization their whole goal is to break you then build you back up. im sure at the academy they are going to try and push your mind and body to the brink; this is why the dropout rate for many state police academy's are rather high. there are a lot of weak minded people out there who dont like going outside of their comfort zone. The one thing ive learned from the Marine Corps is that there is time for rest when your dead so as long as your breathing then keep on moving forward.

Gotcha - that makes a lot more sense, I knew people wouldn't be griping about those standards.

Originally Posted by Up_On_Base

That is just entry level PT, look at some other state agencies for entry PT like NYSP/PSP...very easy.

That is the easiest PT you will have during training.

NJSP used to have a very hard PT test during the application process, they dropped standards to allow certain types of people to pass...

People claimed the old standards were bias against women/minorites, I get the female part but the minority thing is BS. Skin color has nothing to do with PT performance, there are slugs of all colors.

Personally, I think women/men should be held to same PT standards, they will lock up the same criminals.

True true.. a criminal will not run away from a female anymore slowly than he will run from a male. Kind of like people saying women in the military active duty should have the right to get pregnant and not get in trouble. I'm all for equal opportunity, but make it EQUAL OPPORTUNITY meaning everyone has an equal chance. But that's a whole 'nother issue.

If you compare those standards to local police or other state police they are good, I guess I was comparing apples to oranges. But yeah I believe you guys when you say they tear you a new one in the academy

Hey Karma good luck getting on the job with that attitude. The NJSP academy is harder than ANY boot camp in the service, and does have a well deserved reputation as being arguably the most difficult academy in the country. If you do get picked up, enjoy running on the sandy beach at Sea Girt. I hear it is quite fun in the winter months.

With the $777 every two weeks for 6 months forget what the PT is like. How can anyone with a family do it. I guess they don't want those applicants. That's equivalent to $20,000 per year. This is NJ remember. Good luck to the rest of you in the process.

Cman, i said the samething when i was talking to the recruiter but luckly i am able to use my gi bill along with the pay recieved. without that ablity i would not have been able to apply, my wife and child have sacrificed plenty for the last 5 years. the least i can do is make sure the bills are paid and foods on the table.

NJLAWMAN214, that NJ cold is something im kinda of dreading; a cold beach is never a good time.

I don't get it - why is everyone making a big deal about PT? from the website their physical qualification test doesn't look that rough at all - compared to FBI and similiar agencies.

I can get 7 points in the 1.5 mile without blinking an eye on a bad day; I've been doing 1.5 in 10 minutes and am depressed it is that slow... 11:30 for 7 points? as for the situps - 2 minutes for 50? I could do that even if I didn't work out!

Don't mean to sound arrogant, but this seems strange to me. Is there any info on the tests performed while at academy? I'm guessing/hoping they're leaps and bounds more intense?

Those are just the minimums for entry...you probably wont get in if you do the minimum. They're looking for the people who go above and beyond...over achieve...not just get by. I can ensure you that the actual academy will be much harder than that. Theres a reason NJSP is known as the best of the best.

+1 about running on the beaches...and not just running...all the other PT too. Situps, pushups...the whole nine yards in the sand. They'll call you "sugar cookies" afterwords.

I have quite a few buddies in the SP and they all spoke FONDLY of running on the beach and IN THE WATER. As for the pay while in the academy, if you truly want the job, then you will make whatever sacrifice necessary. Not for nothing, but being a municipal officer in this state is also a great job depending upon where you work, and the money is as good or better then the SP salary AND you can buy back your military time for the pension, something that you cannot do in the State Police Retirement fund.

Sea Girt

Lots of minor things have changed in the PT and other physical events at Sea Girt.

Yes they have made it easier so that Women could compete and finish.

But by making the Academy last longer it sort of is the same. The federal government and "other" pieces of society want females in the NJSP and other minorities. That is the reason that the 5-8 height requirement was dropped.
The boxing program modified, the run changed (the old one was drop out, pack up, get out, now you get 'chances')

I never rode with a Women Trooper, they were few and far between, and I was senior enough when faced with a choice of riding midnights with one or riding alone. I was able to ride alone.

But that was long ago and the training is still very hard and demanding, so anyone that gets thru has my admiration.

Some silly stuff I still remember; jumping jacks for the entire PT period (1 1/2 hours) after boxing, the next day I had to climb the stairs to my second story dorm room backwards as my calf muscles had locked up...or anyone know the base in Sea Girt ? Duck walking from the dorm to the sand dunes and back again, friend of mine swears that before that day he could dunk from that day, never again...
The recruit up on the platform giving us cadence for the jumping up, squat thrust, pushup, return jump up callies that was doing the cadence but NOT the exercise, when the PT instructors (still see Joe Lucas ((football head)) in town) saw that he wasn't doing the exercise, he was never seen again !

So get in the best shape of your lives, you have plenty of time.

IF you can say to yourself' "I am in the best shape of my life." (hopefully you weren't a fat slob all your life), then you are half way thru mentally.

Because it IS mental not physical in the end that will make you or break you.

We stayed in the then new, now old dorm building. Standing fire watches all night in this totally brick/cinder block building.

Humor is the best way to succeed in many cases.

So it was funny with 54 guys Quacking all the way out and back.

There was one Trooper that his only job that I ever found out was to lead the daily run ! Whatever we did he was out there in front, NOBODY ever passed him, and I never saw his heel hit the dirt/sand/asphalt/grass.
But then instead of taking lunch, he would go out for an hour warm up jog, before leading us in the run.